Pilsen priest removed for inappropriate relationship with woman

By Manya Brachear Pashman
Chicago Tribune
May 3, 2015

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-father-brendan-curran-met-20150503-story.html

A prominent Roman Catholic priest in Pilsen has been removed from his ministry after the Archdiocese of Chicago received an allegation from an adult woman of an inappropriate relationship.

The Rev. Brendan Curran, a Dominican priest, well-known immigration activist and longtime pastor of St. Pius V Catholic Church, acknowledged the relationship happened a number of years ago and apologized.

"I deeply regret not self-identifying sooner about my immoral behavior: that was a mistake," Curran said in a statement released the Dominican Friars, Curran's religious order, on Sunday. "I failed to remember my ministry and my commitment as a priest, and for that I cannot apologize enough. I am heartbroken to know that my actions have caused pain to so many people. From the bottom of my heart, I apologize and ask for forgiveness."

According to the statement, Curran said the relationship was an "isolated instance." Joshua Hoyt, executive director of the National Partnership for New Americans, said Curran called him to apologize personally and explained that the relationship with an unmarried woman lasted several months and ended five years ago.

"It's all very sudden," said Hoyt, former director of the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights. "He's a good priest. He made a mistake and his career should be judged in its entirety."

"Father Brendan was a priest who put the poor and the vulnerable at the center of his ministry," he said. "He will be sorely missed."

Curran, who has served at St. Pius V since 2001, had avoided a premature ending to his appointment at St. Pius V after the parish announced last fall it would honor Attorney General Lisa Madigan for supporting its domestic violence program. The award irked superiors because Madigan supports abortion rights. The event also took place just a few days before Madigan's re-election, which made the award seem like an endorsement. Dozens of community leaders and politicians came out to the parish to show support for Curran's ministry, including then-Republican state Rep. Tom Cross, Democratic U.S. Rep. Luis Gutierrez and Democratic U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin.

"I feel terrible. He was such an important part of the community," Durbin said Sunday at an unrelated event. Durbin most recently saw Curran just over a week ago, at a Children's Day event in Pilsen. "There was hardly an important event involving immigration or the Hispanic community that Father Brendan wasn't front and center."

Hoyt said that controversy had nothing to do with the woman's recent allegation.

The statement from the Dominican Friars said Catholic clergy are held to a higher standard because of their celibacy vows. Furthermore, the breach threatens to damage the cause he was so passionate about.

"Father Brendan made a poor choice. Everyone does, to varying degrees. But he and his choices are held against a higher standard because he professed religious vows as a friar in the Dominican Order," the statement read. "His poor judgment in this instance casts a shadow on his enlightened and courageous ministry to Latino immigrants and the poor at St. Pius V parish and Chicago's southwest side."

The Rev. Charles Bouchard, head of the local Dominican order, commended the woman for coming forward.

"She deserves a sincere apology and we also have a responsibility to respect her anonymity and her privacy," Bouchard said in the statement. "We admire her courage and we're keeping her in our prayers."

Sally Daly with the Cook County State's Attorney said there is no criminal investigation of Curran.

As of last Thursday, Curran can no longer celebrate Mass or the sacraments. He left his position at St. Pius V and left the Chicago area shortly thereafter. Bouchard said Curran will seek evaluation, treatment and spiritual healing in another Dominican community.

"Brendan is leaving this ministry, but we, as a religious order, have a different level of responsibility to him," Bouchard said.

"The pain of the victims and the publicity surrounding priestly misconduct has brought the Church to a much deeper understanding of ministerial integrity. We love and support Brendan and we will be here for him. But, at the same time, there is a purity of heart required to preach the Gospel with integrity and we know that only truth will get us there."

Congregants at St. Pius V were informed Sunday during an announcement from the pulpit at each Mass. Many were disappointed that they didn't have an opportunity to say goodbye.

"We all make mistakes. What are we going to do," said Jose Guadalupe Ruiz, of Pilsen. "Ask that God forgives him more than anything."

Parishioner Martha Santos has worked with Curran as part of the parish's ministry to immigrants for about six years.

"I feel very sad, very disappointed but he is human and we all make mistakes," Santos said. "He's human. Things happen. I'm not going to be the first to throw stones. He was not just a great pastor. He was a great friend."

Yolanda Gallo expressed similar sadness. She said Curran empowered many people to lead.

"I like the idea that he leaves so that he finds his peace that he needs in his difficult moments," said Gallo, who has known him since he arrived at the church. "I understand because only God is perfect."

Bouchard has asked Archbishop Blase Cupich to appoint a temporary bilingual administrator for St. Pius V Parish. A new pastor will be named before July 1.